Where Can I Find Instructions for Religious Dances in English?
May 26, 2013 5:19 PM

I'm studying various religious dances, but especially the Chinese "Dance of a Thousand Hands" and the rituals of whirling dervishes. I don't know how if these dances are taught orally or how they're handed down, but I would like to read English-language instructions of these or other special religious dances. I don't need to perform any; I just want to be able to follow what's going on.
posted by mermaidcafe to Religion & Philosophy (3 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
When I used to manage a place with a big dance hall, we'd have dervishes who would use the space for dancing. I think "sufi dancing" is a good basic way to start learning about what they do, though to be more specific you'd search under Mevlevi (the order) and specifically Sema (the ceremony). Wikipedia can point you to a few places and explain the basics. I'd particularly note this UNESCO page which talks a bit about the history of the tradition.
posted by jessamyn at 6:05 PM on May 26, 2013


Also depending on where you are there may be an open guest ceremony or turning practise that you can attend. Here are some specifics on the aspects of the dance and the ceremony, if you'd rather read than attend.
posted by jessamyn at 6:45 PM on May 26, 2013


Thank you! That's helpful. Does anybody have info about other sacred dances?
posted by mermaidcafe at 5:41 PM on May 29, 2013


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